Computer virus ruse drains bank account of elderly woman

CAMBRIA – A bank account was drained of $540 in a matter of minutes Thursday after an elderly woman surrendered debit card information to a caller who promised to purge her computer of viruses, Niagara County sheriff’s deputies said.

Under the guise of being a Microsoft representative, the swindler – described as having a foreign accent – called the victim and offered to solve her computer problem for $10, deputies said.

The victim, who provided debit card information and security code online, was told not to turn off her computer until he called back, police said. When the victim became suspicious, she contacted her bank and learned the cash had already been withdrawn, deputies added.